A recurring response when first talking about the world of acoustics is confusion with soundproofing. However, they have nothing to do with each other, just like comparing football and basketball: same element but different discipline.
Faced with this recurring situation, today we provide a brief explanation to solve these doubts between absorption and soundproofing in the world of acoustic comfort.
So what is acoustic soundproofing? It is the construction process by which, through the use of various materials, sound is prevented from passing through the walls from one room to an adjoining room. Usually, acoustic soundproofing is dealt with by conditioning the inside of the walls. Acoustic insulation materials are inserted between the partitions that form the room to prevent sound from passing through them.
Soundproofing: prevents sound from passing from one room to an adjoining room through walls or ceilings.
Absorption: improves the acoustics inside a room by avoiding annoying echoes and reverberations.
What about sound absorption? This is the process by which acoustic materials are used to prevent sound waves from bouncing off the surfaces of the room, causing echoes and reverberations. In this way, room noise is reduced, speech intelligibility is increased, acoustic stress is reduced and all kinds of illnesses are prevented.
There are many ways to deal with echo and reverberation in a room, but one of the best known is through the installation of acoustic panels, although it is also important to differentiate between materials. Only some provide professional absorption, comply with fire legislation and guarantee durability. Others are simply pretty decoration.
